Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the perfect addition to your favourite festive delicacies at home this Diwali, allowing you to add those extra layers of goodness. Through Tata Simply Better, it is the passion to serve you those oils that truly elevate your dishes, bringing not just flavours but health benefits as well. Rich with antioxidants and healthy fats as well as nutrient-dense properties, extra virgin olive oil can, for the very first time, become a perfect compliment to your Diwali feast where age-old traditions take on an untouched flavour of India and a feel of guiltlessness too.

Now, here's a list to show you exactly how you'd be able to turn every one of those recipes closest to your heart, when it comes to your Diwali, around using Tata Simply Better's extra virgin olive oil, without losing any nutritious or tasting goodness.

1. Baingan ka Bharta -

Baingan Bharta is one of the most popular Diwali recipes, relished for its smoky aroma and spicy, flavorful mash. Traditionally, the eggplant is roasted and mashed with oil and spices, but extra virgin olive oil makes it earthier and smoothens the peppery finish.

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant (baingan)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tomatoes, finely chopped

1 green chilli, chopped

Fresh coriander for garnish

Salt, red chilli powder, and garam masala to taste

Instructions:

Roast the eggplant in an open flame, then peel it off and mash it.

In a pan heat the olive oil; add the chopped onions to sauté until it turns golden brown.

Now add tomatoes to cook until they get soft, add the mixture of mashed eggplant, green chilli, and spices together. It's garnished with coriander and a sprinkle of olive oil to give it a richness.

The smoky, spicy flavour added by extra virgin olive oil takes the heavy flavours of baingan bharta up to a light guilty delight.

2. Paneer Tikka -

The much favourite Diwali snacking pieces are paneer tikkas, the cubes of spice-marinated cottage cheese delicately grilled at a near-perfect point of flavour with extra virgin olive oil doing the magic work both with the marinade flavours becoming locked into their taste quotient and also ensuring it isn't too greasy.

Ingredients:

200g Paneer cubes

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Yoghourt

1 tsp Ginger-garlic paste

1 tsp Garam masala

Salt, red chilli powder and turmeric as per taste

Lemon juice and fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Preparation:

Combine yoghurt, olive oil and spices and make a marinade. Rub the marinade onto paneer cubes and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Grill or pan-sear the paneer until golden, dressing with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh coriander. Again, this marinade will include olive oil, so the paneer tikka remains light yet full flavoured.

This means snack time will never have a guilt factor; it's as tasty as it is healthy.

3. Masala Nuts -

No Diwali celebration is complete without a bowl of crunchy, spiced nuts. These masala nuts roasted with olive oil make for a delicious and nutritious snack to offer guests, adding festive crunch without the guilt.

Ingredients:

1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts)

2 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp cumin powder

½ tsp chaat masala

Salt and red chilli powder to taste

Fresh curry leaves for garnish

Instructions:

In a pan heat olive oil and mix nuts

Add spices and roast the nuts to a golden brown with an aromatic smell

Top with curry leaves and chaat masala to add the zing

The spices that will distribute evenly through the nuts with extra virgin olive oil will make a healthy snack that's just crunchy enough with the perfect amount of spice for your Diwali spread

4. Kheer -

Kheer is that finishing touch to every Diwali feast. Traditionally a ghee-based dish, substituting a small part of it with extra virgin olive oil gives it an uncommon creaminess and depth-healthy twist to the long-loved dessert.

Ingredients:

1 cup of soaked and drained rice

4 cups of milk

2 tbsp of olive oil

¼ cup of sugar

1 tsp cardamom powder

Some chopped almonds, pistachios, and saffron for garnish

Instructions:

Heat olive oil in a pan, add soaked rice in it and mix well to coat.

Pour milk, and let the mixture come to a boil and the liquid thicken.

Add sugar and cardamom powder, garnish with chopped nuts and saffron.

Olive oil gives a mild, aromatic flavour that does not let the cardamom or saffron overpower this kheer, making this a sinful but guilt-free treat.

5. Aloo Chaat -

Aloo Chaat is an absolutely delicious, tangy potato snack that's bound to make its presence felt at any Diwali party. The potatoes tossed in olive oil before baking or frying makes the dish lighter, letting the natural flavours shine through.

Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes, boiled and diced

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and chaat masala to taste

Fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions:

Toss the diced potatoes in olive oil and spices. Bake until golden, or pan-fry for a crunchy texture.

Garnish with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds for a burst of colour and flavour.

Use of extra virgin olive oil in aloo chaat makes it a healthy flavour option.

 It will serve as a festive crunch instead of grease.

Tata Simply Better Difference

At Tata Simply Better, we believe that celebratory food is delicious and can be nutrient-dense. Extra virgin olive oil is the greatest combination of flavour and nutrition: it will enhance your Diwali dishes while contributing to heart health and wellbeing. Using extra virgin olive oil in your Diwali recipes doesn't only make them healthier but also brings out a richness and authenticity that goes beautifully with the Indian spices and flavours.

With Tata Simply Better, Tata Consumer Products has entered into a new category, with a range of cold-pressed oils aimed at consumers who want to include cold-pressed oils in their kitchens. Tata Simply Better has come with various cold-pressed oils- Groundnut, Virgin Coconut, Sesame, Olive and Mustard, that provide a healthier and more nutritious alternative to traditional cooking oils.

These oils are carefully extracted to retain their natural goodness, and they are free from trans fats and cholesterol. By using the finest A1-grade ingredients, Tata Simply Better ensures that its products offer a superior culinary experience while promoting overall well-being.